Counting device



March 27, 1962 Filed Feb. 2, 1959 F. E. HOWDLE ET AL COUNTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 1962 F. E. HOWDLE ET AL 3,027,075

COUNTING DEVICE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 2, 1959 w wm m m We m 11 WMWM United States Patent 3,027,075 COUNTING DEVICE Frederic E. Howdle, Wauwatosa, Wis., and Edwin X- -Schmidt, Del Ray Beach, Fla., assignors to Cutler- Hammer, Inc., Milwaukee, Wis., a corporation of Delaare Filed Feb. 2, 1959, Ser. No. 790,526 4 Claims. (Cl. 235-98) This invention relates generally to apparatus for counting articles being conveyed in a stream. While not l mited thereto, it relates particularly to an electrical counting device for use with conveyors having flexible belts between which flat flexible articles, such as newspapers or the like, or conveyed.

Prior apparatus for counting folded newspapers or similar articles which are conveyed between flexible belts in lapped or unlapped relationship have proven unsatisfactory in certain respects. For example, photoelectric type counting devices which rely on passage of the newspaper through a light beam to register a count may register a false count if some portion of the same newspaper accidentally flips into the light beam more than once. Similarly, some feeler type counting devices utilizing electric switches which are actuated by the feeler are subject to error in that any irregularity detected by the feeler may register as a false count. Furthermore, at high conveyor speed vibration of the feeler may cause undesirable operation of the switch which registers as false counts.

Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide an improved electric switch type counting device which overcomes the aforementioned and other difficulties.

Another object is to provide an improved counting device which afiords an extremely accurate count and is capable of operation at relatively high speeds.

Still another object is to provide an improved counting device which is reliable in use and is relatively economical to manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will hereinafter appear. The accompanying drawings illustrate a preferred embodiment of the invention, it being understood that the embodiment shown is susceptible of modifications with respect to certain details thereof without departing from the scope of the appended claims.

In the drawings:

' FIGURE 1 is a schematic view in side elevation of a portion of a conveyor mechanism showing the manner in which a counting device incorporating the invention is employed therewith;

' FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the counting device shown in FIG. 1; broken through the lever arm thereof and showing an enlarged view of the left-hand end thereof;

FIG. 3 is a greatly enlarged side view, partly in elevation and partly in section, of the enlarged portion of the counting device shown in FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the portion of the counting device shown in FIG. 3.

The counting device incorporating the invention is employed to advantage with a conveyor having sets of upper and lower flexible belts of circular cross-section between which flat flexible articles, such as folded newspapers or the like are conveyed. The counting device comprises a lever arm, one end of which is pivotably attached to the framework of the conveyor, and the other end of which carries a supporting structure to which a trolley wheel is attached. The trolley wheel rides upon one of the upper flexible belts beneath which the articles pass. The supporting structure also carries an electric switch which is adapted for connection in a suitable electrical or electronic counting circuit and which has an outwardly biased operating plunger. The supporting structure also carries a movable actuator which is normally disposed in the path of the articles beneath the belt and which is movable upwardly momentarily when impinged upon by one of said articles to operate the plunger of the switch.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown schematically a portion of a conveyor comprising lower flexible wire belts 10, upper flexible wire belts 11, and obliquely disposed flexible wire belts 12. Belts 10 and 12 travel around a driven grooved roller 13 in the direction of the arrows. Belts 11 travel around a driven grooved roller 14 and around the grooved idler rollers 15 and 16 in the direction of the arrows. It may be assumed that the conveyor is provided with suitable framework structure (not shown) and with other rollers (not shown) necessary for proper operation of the belts.

A series of flat, folded, flexible articles, such as newspapers or the like, two of which are designated by the letters P and Q, are shown disposed between upper belts 11 and lower belts 10 and oblique belts 12. The leading edge of each newspaper overlaps the trailing edge of the paper immediately preceding it.

FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the conveyor is provided with a rigid cross member or tie rod 17 to which one end of a supporting arm 18 is rigidly clamped. A substantially cylindrical pivot post 19 is rigidly secured to the other end of supporting arm 18. A hearing block 20 is pivotably mounted on pivot post 19 and the right-hand end of an elongated, hollow lever arm 21 is rigidly secured between the top surface of bearing block 20 and a clamping plate 22 by the screws 23. A helical spring 24 is disposed on pivot post 19 and one end of the spring is rigidly secured with respect to the post while the other end is secured to bearing block 20. Spring 24 tends to bias block 20 in a counterclockwise direction (with respect to FIG. 1) thereby tending to force lever arm 21 downwardly (with respect to FIG. 1). Lever arm 21 is of a length and shape suitable to locate the apparatus carried thereby, which is hereinafter described, preferably substantially in the position shown in FIG. 1, i.e., somewhat to the left of roller 13 where the newspapers begin their downward travel and are tautest and smoothest as they bend over the roller. The downward biasing of lever arm 21 assists the apparatus carried by the lever arm in tracking the belt which may tend to whip as the conveyor operates and which changes position as the thickness of the newspaper stream passing beneath varies. 7

FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 4 show that the left hand end of lever arm 21 extends into a hole in a block 25 and is rigidly secured therein by a screw 26. Two side plates 27 are rigidly secured to opposite sides of block 25 by the rivets 28 which extend transversely through the block. Each plate 27 is provided with a depending portion 27a which is adapted by holes to support an axle 29 upon which a grooved trolley wheel 30 rotates. .Washers 31 are disposed on axle 29 between trolley wheel 30 and the depending portions 27a of plates 27. Trolley wheel 30 is adapted to ride upon belt 11 but the depth of, its groove is such that the sides of the wheel do not extend below the belt into the path of articles moving therebeneath.

A single pole double throw plunger actuated electrical switch 32 is rigidly secured between side plates 27 by the two bolts 33 which extend through transversely disposed holes in the insulating base 32a of the switch and through elongated holes 27b of the side plates 27. Elongated holes 27b permit adjustment of the location of switch 32, as will hereinafter appear. Base 32a of switch 32 has a cavity therewithin and an insulating cover plate 32b is secured to the base by the two rivets 34. An electrically conductive upper stationary contact 35 and a lower stationary contact 36 are rigidly secured to the interior side of cover plate 32b by the electrically conductive rivets 37 and 38, respectively, and terminal connectors 39 and 40, respectively, are attached to the rivets 37 and 38, re-

. movable upwardly out of engagement therewith into engagement with upper stationary contact 35 by the movable plunger 44 of switch 32. Upward travel of movable contact member 41 is limited and deformation thereof is prevented by a rivet 45 secured to cover plate 32b in alinement with plunger 44. The 'terminalconnectors 39, 40 and 43 are adapted to have suitable wire conductors electrically connected thereto, as by soldering, and the leads may be led back through hollow lever arm 21, as FIGS. 1 and 2 make clear. 1 v

Switch 32 is intended for connection in a known form of bi-stable flip-flop electronic circuit (not shown) whose alternate output pulses are fed into a suitable counter (not shown) to register as counts. Thus, to register one count, movable contact membe1f-41 of switch 32 must be moved out of engagement with lower stationary contact 36 and into engagement with upper stationarycontact 35. Before another count can register, movable contact member 41 of switch 32 must reenga'ge lower stationary contact 36 to reset the'flip-fiop circuit. Bouncing of movable contact member 41 on either of the stationary contacts 35 or 36 occasioned either by irregulari ties or rapid operation of the conveyor does not register as afalse count. I I

The base 32a'of s 'tch 32 is providedwith an integrally formed, substantially cylindrical exterior projection 320 having an openingwhich accommodates the substantiallycylindrical plunger 44 which is normally biased outwardly of the base by'resilient movable contact member 41. Outward travel of plunger 44 is limited by a retaining ring 46 secured in an annular groove formed about the periphery of the plunger near the upper end thereof. t i A flexible diaphragm 47, shaped like bellowsandpreferably formed of rubber, neoprene or like material, is provided to protect the interior of switch 32 from the entry of foreign matter through the plunger opening. Diaphragm '47 has beaded edges formed about its upper and lower openings which engage, respectively, an annular groove formed about the periphery of projection 32c where the latter joins the base 32a of switch 32,; and an annular grooveformed about the periphery of plunger 44 near the lower end thereof. Two downwardly depending plates 48, which are rigidly secured to opposite sides of block 25 by the screws 49, are provided with holes which support a pin 50 upon which an actuator 51 for operating'the plunger 44 of switch 32 is pivotally mounted. Switch actuator 51 is a channel-shaped member having curved, downwardly extending followers 52 rigidly secured to the sides thereof by welding or other means. The upper surf'ace of actuator 51 is provided with an untopped hole 51a which is adapted to accommodate a screw 53 which takes into a threaded hole 54 provided in the bottom of block 25. A helicalcompression spring 55 is disposed around the shank of screw 53 between the upper surface of the actuator- 51 and the floor of a recess formed in the bottom of block 25 and normally biases the actuator downwardly. Downward travel of actuator 51 is limited by the head of screw 53. By adjusting screw 53 i.e., turning it into or" out of block 25, the distance which the followers 52 extend below flexible belt 11 can beset as will hereinafter appear. 1 When actuator 51 is pivoted upwardly, -the left-hand end thereof moves plunger 44 of switch 32 inwardly.

The conveyor and counting device hereinbefore described operates as follows:

Assume that the conveyor is in operation and that the newspapers are being conveyed beneath belt 11 toward the left, as shown in FIG. 1. Further assume that the counting device is disposed as shown in FIG. 1 and that it is electrically connected in the flip-flop circuit hereinbefore described.

When the newspapers are lapped, as are those designated P and Q, a space exists beneath the belt 11 into which the followers 52 of actuator 51 depend and the movable contact member 41 of switch 32 engages the lower stationary contact 36 of the switch, as FIG. 3

shows. The flip-flop circuit (not shown) may therefore be assumed to be in one of its stable conditions. the stream of newspapers advances, paper P passes over rolle 13 and the folded leading edge thereof strikes the fol: lowers 52, thus forcing actuator 51, upward against the bias of spring55. Actuator 51 forces the plunger44 of switch 32, inwardly and the movable contact member. 41

of the switch moves out of engagement with lower sta-.

tionary contact 36 and intoengagement with upper sta:

tionary contact 35 thus shifting the flip-flop circuit front one stable condition to the other and causing the pulse to be fed into a counter (not shown) to register as a count. The newspaper P continues to move forward across roller 13 and the followers 52 of actuator 51 slide across the surface thereof. Since newspaper P is being directed downwardly as it passes over roller 13 the upper surface thereof becomestaut, thereby reducing th possibility of irregularities, such as wrinkles, creases or bulges that might appear, on that surface. However, if.

any irregularities do appear and the movable contact member 41 of switch 32 is caused to bounce on upperv stationary contact 35 these circuit interruptions do not register as counts because of the stability of the flip flop circuit. Similarly, any contact bouncing occasioned by high speed operation of the conveyor does not register as a count unless both stationary contacts are involved. As, the newspaper P passes out from underneath the followers 52 of actuator 51, the spring 55 forcesthe-actuator downward to normal position, as far as thehead of adjusting screw 53 will allow. Resilient movable contact member 41 of switch 32 springs out of engagement with upper stationary contact 35 and into engagement with lower stationary contact 36. In so moving, movable contact member 41 forces plunger 44 outwardly of the base 32a of switch 32. It will be understood thatreengage ment of movable contact member 41 with lower stationary contact 36 merely resets the flip-flop circuit for the next operation and does not register as a count since the counter registers only alternate pulses. Subsequent newspapers passing over roller 13 eifect operation of the counting device as above described.

It will be understood that newspapers or other articles: passingbetween the belts of the conveyor in unlappe'd,

spaced apart relationship would effect operation of the;

counting device as above described.

varies, yet the follower will always extend the desired fixed distance below the belt. Furthermore, trolley wheel 30 will track belt 11 closely if the belt should tend to whip or move at high conveyor speeds.

The stroke of actuator 51 is adjustable by turning the screw 53, as hereinbefore explained, and is determined by the thickness of the smallest articles to be counted. For example, if the total thickness of a folded newspaper is .036 inch then the stroke of the actuator 51 is adjusted so that the followers 52 thereof depend .036 inch below the lower surface of belt 11. Then, mounting screws 33 which secure switch 32 between the plates 27 are. loosened to permit the switch to be positioned so that movable conmet member 41 engages stationary contact 36 and plun-ger member 44 almost touches the upper surface of actuator 51. Mounting screws 33 are then retightened. Any newspaper equal to or thicker than .036 inch would then cause the actuator 51 to move switch 32 through a complete cycle to register a count.

We claim:

1. In a system for conveying and counting articles, a conveyor for moving said articles in a given direction, said conveyor having at least one flexible movable belt adjacent which said articles are conveyed, and counting means for counting said articles, said counting means comprising a switch, positioning means for said switch adapted to ride upon said belt to locate said switch in predetermined position with respect thereto, and-movable switch actuating means projecting into the path of movement of the articles being conveyed so as to be struck by each of said articles to ffect operation of said switch.

2. In a system for conveying and counting articles, a conveyor for moving said articles in. a given direction, said conveyor having at least one flexible movable belt adjacent which said articles are conveyed, and counting means for counting said articles, said counting means comprising a switch having an outwardly biased plunger operator, trolley means riding upon said belt to locate said switch in predetermined position with respect thereto, biasing means tending to force said trolley means against said belt, and movable plunger actuating means for said switch projecting into the path of movement of the articles being conveyed so as to be struck by each of said articles to force said plunger operator inwardly to ettect operation of said switch.

3. In a system for conveying and counting articles, a conveyor for moving said articles in a given direction, said conveyor having at least one flexible movable belt adjacent which said articles are conveyed, and counting' means for counting said articles as they pass a predetermined point, said counting means comprising a singlepole double throw switch having a plunger normally biased outwardly thereof and movable inwardly, trolley means riding upon said belt to locate said switch in predetermined position with respect thereto, biasing means tending to force said trolley means against said belt to aid the former in tracking the latter, and a movable plunger actuator for said switch, said plunger actuator biased into the path of movement of the articles being conveyed and adapted to be impinged upon by each of said articles to force said plunger inwardly of said switch to effect operation of said switch.

4. In a system for conveying and counting flat, flexible articles being conveyed in a stream, a conveyor for moving said articles in a given direction, said conveyor having sets of flexible wire belts between which said articles are conveyed, roller means over which said articles are conveyed to effect a change in direction thereof, said change in direction also effecting tauting of said articles, and counting means for counting said articles, said counting means comprising a lever arm pivoted at one end, a plunger operated switch carried at the other end of said lever arm, trolley means riding upon one of said upper flexible wire belts substantially at the position where said articles change direction and are taut beneath said belt, biasing means acting upon said lever arm to bias said trolley means firmly against said belt, and a movable plunger actuator for said switch, said plunger actuator biased into the path of movement of the article being conveyed and adapted to be impinged upon by each of said articles to operate the plunger of said switch.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,023,921 Grout Dec. 10, 1935 2,617,593 Audier et a1. Nov. 11, 1952 2,725,972 Howdle Dec. 6, 1955 2,736,495 Calou Feb. 28, 1956 

